Heritage

The inscription on Deerfield’s seal reads: “Be Worthy of Your Heritage.” At Deerfield, we understand heritage to mean more than just the legacy of those who came before. It is an all-encompassing identity and set of core values that the community lives by, accorded by a long line of dedicated students and faculty dating back to 1797. Respecting and valuing our heritage is the reason we still have traditions like sit-down meals, Choate Day, and the singing of the Evensong. But it is also the reason we reestablished coeducation and continue to develop our curriculum and campus to meet the educational demands of the 21st century.

The understanding that tradition, heritage, and history are dynamic forces—not confined to the past—is vital for the realization of Deerfield’s mission.